Keys to Artistry Piano Camp Held at Mount Union College

The inaugural Keys to Artistry piano camp, co-founded by piano faculty members Dr. Maira Liliestedt and Ms. Janelle Phinney, was recently held at Mount Union College.

The week-long event provided musical and social events for intermediate to advanced pianists ages 10 to 18.

Liliestedt and Phinney were both piano camp counselors in college and wanted to combine their experiences and offer something similar to younger pianists.

"We were trying to fill a need for such an event in the area,” Phinney said. “There are almost no such camps for young piano enthusiasts in our vicinity."

Also on staff during the week was Dr. Jerome Miskell, associate professor of music, who taught music technology, and Dr. James Perone, professor of music, who taught music theory. Camp counselors were pianists Laura Jurasko, a 2009 Mount Union College graduate, and Abigail Sevcik, a senior music performance major at the College.

The week included daily piano lessons, music theory classes and music technology classes as well as special sessions on piano wellness and legendary pianists.

Optional activities also included a trip for high school students to Blossom Music Center for a performance at Porthouse Theatre of Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Next year’s Keys to Artistry will be held at Mount Union College June 14-19, 2010. For more information, call Maira Liliestedt at (330) 823-2195 or Janelle Phinney at (330) 224-1429.